[SMM Photovoltaic] IKEA Retailer Ingka Group Expands Iberian Green Footprint with Twin Spanish Solar Acquisitions

Spanish renewable energy developer Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) has announced that it has secured 2.3GW of grid connection capacity in Germany for the development of battery energy storage (BESS), solar, and hybrid energy projects, with the relevant projects expected to progressively reach "Ready to Build" (RTB) status between 2026 and 2029. The projects are mainly distributed across the states of Brandenburg, Lower Saxony, and North Rhine-Westphalia, covering standalone storage, solar, and hybrid solar-storage projects. Among them, a 750MW storage project in Brandenburg is nearing construction permit approval; the Lower Saxony portfolio totals nearly 700MW, including a 600MW battery storage facility, a 13.8MW solar plant, and three hybrid projects; while North Rhine-Westphalia is planning a portfolio exceeding 900MW in total scale, including a 900MW/3,600MWh battery storage facility. FRV stated that, against the backdrop of widespread grid connection constraints facing large-scale renewable energy projects in Germany, securing transmission grid access capacity in advance will provide critical assurance for project development. The company plans to deploy 2-hour and 4-hour duration storage systems, storing surplus renewable energy and releasing it during peak demand periods to enhance grid flexibility and renewable energy absorption capacity, supporting Germany's energy transition.

Currently, driven by China's EVA petrochemical plants actively controlling production to support prices and the rigid continuous procurement from downstream film enterprises, the industry EVA inventory is steadily destocking. The previously high inventory pressure has significantly eased, and the sentiment of low-price sell-off in the market has largely subsided. On the demand side, marginal improvement expectations are emerging. In July, module scheduled production is expected to see a slight rebound, which is likely to drive a recovery in restocking demand for raw materials at film plants. Meanwhile, in July, multiple petrochemical enterprises plan to shut down their PV-grade EVA units for maintenance, leading to market expectations of phased supply contraction. However, the strength of end-use demand recovery remains uncertain. Whether supply tightening can align with the increase in scheduled production to drive EVA prices upward still requires continuous monitoring of spot transactions and the pace of downstream stockpiling.

Notice on the Issuance of the “Management Measures for the ‘Three-North’ Project Construction (Trial)” by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Natural Resources. According to the document, the “Three-North” Project focuses on combating desertification and sandification as its main direction, takes building a robust ecological security barrier in the north as its fundamental goal, and advances strictly in accordance with the principle of “design first, then approval, and construction last.” The document encourages relevant localities, in light of actual conditions and in accordance with relevant national regulations, to explore the implementation of “work-relief,” “rewards as subsidies,” and other measures. It supports the development of governance models such as “PV + sand control” built on ensuring the consumption of new energy and “road-based sand control.” It guides enterprises, collectives, farmers, and herders to participate in project construction through means such as contracting, shareholding, leasing, and labor contribution.